2. Use gesture lines to sketch and contour
lines to add detail to a drawing.

Materials Needed

1. Sketchbook, drawing pencil, and
eraser.

2. Set up in stations: chopstick, markers,
pastels, brush and ink, and charcoal.

3. Simple objects to draw.

4. Line, Gesture and Contour instructional
posters.

Instructional Procedure with Approximate
Time Line

1. Anticipatory Set (5
minutes)

Read students the following: Line is a mark
made by a pointed tool &emdash; brush, pencil, stick, pen, etc.
&emdash; and is often defined as a moving dot. It has a length and
width, but its width is very small compared to its length. A line is
created by the movement of a tool and pigment, and often suggests
movement in a drawing or painting.

Variety in the thickness of lines creates
surface interest. Some lines are thick; some are thin; and many are
both thick and thin.

Lines can be expressive and suggestive
because of their endless variety. Some adjectives that can describe
the quality of a line are nervous, soft, heavy, waving, erratic, etc.
In nature, lines can be seen as tree branches, cracks in rocks,
grasses, flower stems, spider webs, etc.

2. Gesture and Contour Lines (35
minutes)

Using the Gesture Line poster, point out the
characteristics of a gesture drawing (done quickly, does not outline
&emdash; line moves freely within, no details, captures movement, can
be shaded to make things stand out, and thick/thin lines can be used
to bring out certain edges). Explain that gesture drawing is a great
way to sketch. Read the poster:

"Gesture drawing is an important step in the
process of drawing. By definition, gesture drawing is a quick method
of representing a sense of movement and an object's weight and mass
with as few marks as possible.

Even though gesture drawing appears to be
simple, it requires that the artist approach the subject matter with
an attitude of inquiry, translating almost rhythmically what he or
she is seeing. Usually, these drawings can be completed in 30 - 60
seconds to capture the movement. Practicing gesture drawing enhances
the artist's ability to express and interpret the overall qualities
of an object, and many artists begin a large drawing project with
this foundation. Be careful not to draw edges or to outline -
scribbles and spirals are good marks to use."

Gesture of a Bowler

Have the students practice gesture drawings in
their sketchbook (title the page "gesture drawings"). The students
should choose an object from the classroom, and within 60 seconds
complete a gesture drawing. Do at least three gesture drawings this
way. Next, have students picture something in their mind and do a
gesture drawing of it. A good suggestion is a person in
movement.

Still Life Gesture Drawing - Can you see the
bottles and fruit?

Using the Contour Line poster, point out the
characteristics of a contour line drawing (outlines the object, no
sketchy lines, shows detail, no shading, and can use thick and thin
lines). Contrast contour lines with gesture lines. Read the
poster:

"Contour drawing helps define and explore edges
through line and locates one object in relationship to another. It
also establishes an expressive and accurate representation of the
subject by the richness of the lines, thick or thin, crisp or soft,
and the speed and rhythm with which they are drawn. Contour drawing
enables the artist to develop the illusion of volume through space
and line.

One of the most demanding requirements of
contour drawing is developing the ability to concentrate which
enhances hand-eye coordination and helps the artist to perceive the
object as a whole. Be careful not to use sketchy lines and make sure
you capture the details when doing a contour drawing."

Have the students practice contour lines in
their sketchbooks (title the page "contour line drawings"). Students
should choose an object from the classroom and do a contour line
drawing. Do at least two this way. Lastly, have students do one
contour line drawing from their minds eye. Ask students if it
was more difficult to draw from what they saw or what they
imagined?

Contour Line Drawing
Examples

Homework: Practice doing gesture and
contour line drawings of objects. Fill one sketchbook page with
gesture drawings and one with contour line drawings.

Day Two

1. Activities (40 minutes)

Activities are to be done on separate
sketchbook pages, not back to back.

In their sketchbook, create a "Vocabulary
of Lines" (title) using different tools: a stick, pen, pencil,
pastel, brush, charcoal, and marker. Draw three different lines
for each tool.

Looking at a simple object, take 60 seconds
to sketch it with pencil as a "Gesture Drawing"
(title).

Looking at a different object, draw it with
a "Contour Line" (title) using thick/dark and thin/light lines. Do
not lift your pencil or marker from the page until
finished.

2. Extra Credit:

Do additional gesture and contour line
drawings of simple objects using marker, pencil, pastel, brush, or
charcoal.

3. Assessment

0 points = Activity not completed or not found.
Activity done incorrectly or no title.